One Water Student Video Contest

Telling our story is vitally important to the success of our One Water program. Each year, the City of Bend partners with Central Oregon Daily and BendFilm for the One Water Student Video Contest. The contest encourages local 6-12 graders to film 30-second TV commercials, to teach about topics of importance or concern that help to conserve water and protect our river and groundwater aquifer.

This year we’re focusing on our 100-year anniversary of providing water service. We invite local students in grades 6-12 to join us in celebrating this history by participating in a video contest that explores the history of Bend’s water system. This is your chance to creatively showcase this history of Bend’s water service, the importance of water in our lives and how water service has shaped our community over the last 100 years.  

The Assignment:

Choose one aspect of Bend’s water system history that is interesting to you. Create a 30-second video that celebrates 100 years of water services with a story about what the City did and why it matters to us today.  

Research Resources:  

Need help finding your story? These resources are a great place to start: 

• A History of Surface Water Rights in Bend (Video) 
• Bend Water System Tour (Google Earth slideshow) 
• Water System Virtual Tour with graphics 
• Bend Municipal Watershed  
• Our Water System  
• One Water Curriculum  
• Water Advisory Group presentation, Feb. 2024 (Watch from minute 7:40 to 13:00)  

Content Ideas:

• The beginning of Bend’s water system, a century ago
• The history of Bend’s water sources (where our water comes from)
• How Bend’s water system has changed over time 
• The journey of Bend’s water from its source to your tap 
• The role of water in shaping Bend’s growth, health, and environment 
• Water conservation and sustainability efforts – then and now (innovations in water technology and conservation) 
• What 100 years of Bend’s water service means to you

Need Inspiration? 

Think about: 

• Where our water comes from  

• What makes our water special (good taste, excellent quality) 

• How decisions made 100 years ago continue to help us have high quality water 

• How water gets to your home 

• How workers keep the system running 

5 p.m. May 1, 2026

1 Create your video

Create your 30-second TV commercial!

2 Upload your video to YouTube

Upload your video to YouTube and copy the video link to include in the next step.

3 Submit your application

To make your submission process super easy, have all your information ready prior to starting the form, including:

• Your YouTube link
• Parent contact information (if you’re under 18 years old)
• Actor/actress participation list

When you’re ready, fill out your entry form here:

After you submit your entry form, have each participant submit a photo release here:

4 Winners are announced!

The City and our contest partners review submissions and announces the winners.

5 Grand prize winner partners with Central Oregon Daily!

Grand prize winner partners with Central Oregon Daily News to professionally produce their commercial!